Browns

Savouring the taste of Sofitel

by cecylia on June 24, 2011

Few days ago I was delighted to attend the Australian Childhood Foundation’s annual Eat Street event, held at the grand Sofitel. This was THE best culinary experience of my life! I often winge with hubby that I never get to eat at all the lovely places he’s been to, so tonight Eat Street made up for my deprived gastronomic experiences. I was joined by my beautiful friend Sarah of Sarah Style Emporium who wrote a lovely post about our boutiquye recently, check it out here. We sashayed around all the tasty stations and sampled all the best foods on offer from the various top end restaurants. I am blessed with a bottomless pit for a stomach and no allergies so I literally sampled everything.

La Petite Gateau, 458 Lt Collins St Melbourne, 03 9944 8893- hazelnut desseert drink, macaroons and passionfrtui sponge cake.

Sam Miranda Wines in King Valley, 1019 Snow Rd Oxley P: 03 5727 3888- raspberry pannacotta and a gorgeous pork dish.

Il Bacaro -168-170 Lt Collins St Melbourne Phone 03 9654 6778, the best pork belly on the planet!

I took a mini break to count my blessings for the day – I had a number of prayers answered that day and a very dear friend paid me a visit at the boutique and presented me with the best vintage find, ever! I shall reveal what it is next time :)

European 161 Spring Street, MELBOURNE. Telephone +61 3 96540811 – rabbit sausage roll

Ganache Chocolate , 250 Toorak Rd South Yarra, 03 9804 7485- cocoa deluxe!

Embrasse Restaurant at 312 Drummond St Carlton (03) 9347 3312
presented the cutest ‘mushroom ‘- half icecream and half meringue with chocolate cake and kiwifruit gelati

Eat Street brings culture, food, charity and fashion into one glamorous event. I was blown away by the sheer number of excellent restaurants and wineries on offer. Eat Street is definitely going to be a staple on my social calendar each year now! These photos are only a selection of food we sampled, there were many many more dishes from other famed restaurants including Flower Drum, Press Club, Aquarium, Burch & Purchase Sheet Studio, Sarti, and St Katherine’s, just to name a few. If there was any event I could go to every night, it would be Eat Street.

So, what are you all doing this weekend? I’ll be at the boutique on Saturday, and detoxing my wardrobe at Take 2 Markets on Sunday from 10-3pm at Hawthorn Town Hall 360 Burwood Rd. Remember how I was saying that my wardrobe is too big and needs to lsoe some weight? Well here is your chance to come and give my items a good home fashionistas! :) Hope to see you there!

What I wore: Vintage jumper, bracelet, belt and bag, Morrissey magnifying glass necklace, Third Millenium silk pants, Sonia Rykiel pumps, Paula Walden ring

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/furl_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png

http://cecylia.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

{ 10 comments }

Further reductions in our International sale. Enjoy up to 70% off NET-A-PORTER.COM

I Got You Because I was Vulnerable

by cecylia on February 23, 2011

Just when I’ve vowed not to buy another pair of shoes, in this post, temptation strikes.

I’m going to tell you about the worst day I’ve had ever, in 2011.

I visited one of my favourite boutiques a while back- Christine, to wish her ‘Happy New Year’. For those who know me, or have read my posts about this amazing lady, you know just how much love, admiration and respect I hold for her. I’ve never revealed in my previous posts about the abuse she has given me in return. But this was the third time…the final straw.

As I admired her collections, encouraged fellow shoppers to ‘get those shoes’ and contemplated about which bag to buy my mom, Christine came up to me, red-faced and all, and said ‘I’m going to have to ask you to leave, I don’t feel comfortable with other competitors in my shop.’

Feeling misunderstood, hurt and rejected, I could only pray to ask God for strength and forgiveness. I don’t hold anything against Christine, but I won’t visit her boutique again, upon her request.

I turned to visit Miss Louise, a darling shoe boutique I’ve only read about in magazines but have never set foot in, for it is a dangerous place, indeed. Not only have they got the best range of designer footwear and bags, they also have a very talented team of very pushy sales assistants. After trying on 3 pairs of shoes, they tried every possible way (including asking me rather patronising questions and telling me to ignore the opinions of my husband) to get me to buy all 3 pairs, then 2…As I clung tightly to my poor credit card and what was left of my self-respect, I finally managed to escape from their emotional grasp with one shoe box containing patent caramel YSL heels.

So did retail therapy work? I felt more guilty after I bought these shoes. Despite them being comfortable, beautiful and practical shoes, I recently just wrote a post about not buying any shoes in 2011. So what resulted from the day was a broken promise and 2 shops to add to the never-visit list.

As I held back the tears that were dying to escape my eye sockets, I’m grateful that our boutique is well known for its welcoming and down-to-earth non-pushy attitude. And we always respect husbands’ opinions.

{ 22 comments }

Class of 2010

by cecylia on January 28, 2011

‘Class of 2010′ – my shoe purchases from last year

Christine‘s Babes- Lanvin, Sonia Rykiel, Lanvin

Shoe-venirs from Milan – snakeskin walking boots, Jil Sander patent flats, Jil sander suede wedges, Fendi boots

Repettos from the boutique and my Karla Špetic clogs: these are my work shoes, the 4 most comfortable shoes of 2010

Online friends- Diana Broussard from Luisaviaroma (the cause of all the scars on my feet…), Marc Jacobs from the Outnet

Love at First Sight: Miu Miu patent flats from Miu Miu Chadstone’s sale, vintage flats I haven’t worn yet

The reason for this post is not to show off my shoe collection, but to help me come to grips with my shoe addiction. In 2010, I became unemployed (and self-employed) for the first time in my life, but the reality didn’t hit me until now. Yes I am s-l-o-w. I couldn’t understand why hubby wasn’t encouraging when I wanted to buy this or that pair from here and there, he knows how much I love shoes! Everytime a sale came on, be it at Net-a-Porter, Luisaviaroma, Browns, Christine’s, Marais or Miu Miu (my top 6 shopping lust-anations), I would be ready to burn some non-existent cash. The human heart is not satisfied easily.

It was only after I got out all the shoes I bought in 2010, that I realised – I have enough. I am so thankful for a husband who puts up with his wife’s spendings and addictions, and has held me back without being controlling. I’m not even going to count how many shoes there are. But I know one thing, I have enough shoes to last me at least for 2011. And too bad the blog name Sea of Shoes is taken :P

Do you have an addiction? Or should I say, who doesn’t?

{ 42 comments }

Yasmin- The Girl from Oz

by cecylia on December 24, 2009

I’ve been a Yasmin Sewell fangirl for almost a decade. I adore her simple and sleek style. Her clothes are always interesting but never flashy. . She’s been the buyer at high end store Browns in London, had her own store, Yasmin Cho, and photos of her are all over The Sartorialist and Garance Dore. Sewell is a fashion consultant to clients like Liberty of London. Seh imgle-handly revamped the store to a designer destination.

Yasmin is the officially the best dressed girl from Australia. She wears Balmain shoulders and high wasted tweed pants with aplomb. I think she looks a little like Jennifer Connolly in this picture.

She is well known for her simple, androgynous and elegant style. But here she shows how beautiful she is in a dress too. I love the black wrought iron bars next to her- they symbolize her strength and sleekness. Her rocking booties (Alexander Wang perhaps?) give away her inner tomboy.

Sewell describes her style as ‘no-fuss’ . I say tres chic! Having beautiul hair helps too.

Looking like an angel in white. I love the columns behind her again echoing her simplistic and serene style. This symmetrical dress has fabulous cut. Great hair, great smile.

Even her friend is effortlessly chic. I am sure that if any of us hanged around Sewell, her influence would rub off very easily. Sewell always looks amazing in man-style pants. I love her top. Her friend’s wedges are delightful too, well accessorized.

Her outfits are always so interesting, here is a girl who pays attention to detail. I love this ensemble- especially her red clutch and those black suede heels. This is ultimate street chic!

On the phone again, explaining what’s in and out of fashion to a client perhaps? Sewell has said that she is an avid fan of Tshirts and boy friend jeans. Here she shows off her street smart look. Great olive leather jacket! She sure likes those black suede heels.

She looks good even in white tights and an umbrella. I love the blue blazer, the YSL dress and the Bally bag. Dishing out fashion advice on the street, maybe?

Yasmin Sewell rarely wears jewellery. With her wardrobe picks, she rarely needs to. I am sure that we can all take a leaf out of her page – don’t be afraid to steal pieces from your man!

Browns

Savouring the taste of Sofitel

I Got You Because I was Vulnerable

Class of 2010

Yasmin- The Girl from Oz

Recent Posts